Pressure sensitive tape can and dispenser



March 28, 1961 w, BARTLETT 2,977,034

PRESSUREYSENSITIVE TAPE CAN AND DISPENSER Filed March 9, 1959 "1mm" MIIIMIII' 1B 32 WILLIAM BARTLETT A 7 TOIQ/VEV .nmmiy Ufl d w Pe smQ PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE CAN AND DISPENSER William Bartlett, 9 Pace Drive, North Babylon, N.Y.

Filed Mar. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 798,065

2 Claims. (Cl. 225-47) This invention relates to pressure sensitive tape and, more particularly, to a combined storage can and dispenser. therefor.

Ordinarily, pressure sensitive tape is stored within a sealed container and must :be transferred therefrom to a separate dispenser for use. This is not only time consuming and bothersome, but also incurs additional ex pense since the container can no longer be used after it has been opened. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination storage can and dispenser for pressure sensitive tape that will enable such tape to be dispensed directly from the interior of such container during use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination storage and dispenser container for pressure sensitive tape having a flap that may be manually opened for withdrawing the pressure sensitive tape out wardly from the interior thereof, and which flap has a knife edge for cutting predetermined lengths of tape during use.

Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide a combined storage can and dispenser for pressure sensitive tape that is extremely simple in construction, eflicient in operation, and which can be manufac tured in large quantities at a relatively low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination container and dispenser device for pressure sensitive tape in an initial sealed condition;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the manner in which the container is opened and the tape dispensed outwardly therefrom;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view of the unit shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of certain parts of the container shown in Figure 1, with the closure flap in a sealed position;

Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a cutting knife forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing a slightly modified form of construction; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a flap opening key forming a part of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 5 thereof, a combination pressure sensitive 2,917,034 Patented Mar. 28, 1961 ice ' 2 tape storage can and dispenser '10 made in accordance with the present invention for conveniently'storing and dispensing pr'essur'esensitive tape from the interior thereof, is shown to include a closed shallow cylindrical container having a circular side wall 20 and upper and lower walls 12. Each upper and lower wall 12 is provided with a depressed central portion 15 defining a pair of inwardly projecting cylindrical bearings "14 which rotatably support the reel 16 of a roll of pressure sensitive tape 18 within the interior thereof. The side Wall 20 defines a substantially rectangular opening 22 that is initially closed by a flexible flap 24 that overlies the opening 22 and is in frangible sealing engagement therewith. This flap 24 has an extension 26 that is slidably received within the slot 28 of a manually operated key 30 which may be rotated in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3 to tear back the flap 24 for the purpose of providing access to the interior of the container and allowing the withdrawal of the tape 18 outwardly therethrough. Initially, the key 30 is frangibly secured to the central portion 15 of one of the walls of the container and may be removed therefrom, in a well known manner.

A knife 32 having a cutting edge 34- is secured to the inside of the flap 24 adjacent to one end of the opening 22, whereby movement of the flap 24 away from the side wall 20 is operative to swing the knife 32 outwardly about its point of connection 36 to the side 'wall 20, and into the position shown in Figure 3. To obtain ready access to the end 42 of the tape 18, such is adhesively secured to the inside surface of the knife 32, as shown in Figure 4, so that upon tearing back the flap 24 and causing rotation of the knife 32 toward the position shown in Figure 3, the end 42 of the spool of tape is also brought into a convenient location for withdrawal.

While the knife edge 34 of the knife 32 illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the drawing is relatively straight, it will be recognized that a different type of knife 38 may be provided having a serrated knife edge 40, for also sever- 'ing predetermined lengths of tape during use. In any event, the knife 32 has suflicient rigidity that once it is rotated outwardly to the operative position shown in Figure 3, it is sufiiciently rigid to allow tearing of the tape upon the cutting edge without bending.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A combination pressure sensitive tape can and dis penser comprising, in combination, a cylindrical container, a tape spool mounting integral with said container, a peripheral portion of said container defining an access opening for withdrawing a web of tape from a spool carried within said container upon said integral tape spool mounting, a flap integral with said peripheral portion of said container in sealed engagement with said opening, key means for retracting said flap out of said opening, a knife mounted upon the inside of said flap for movement outwardly from the interior of said container along with .said flap, said container comprising a pair of spaced apart 3 7 ing comprising inwardly oifset circular wall means integral with each of said upper and'lower Walls, said access opening being of generally rectangular configuration, and said flap overlapping the opening defining portions of said access opening and being in sealed engagement therewith, said knife comprising a plate having a cutting edge mounted upon the inside of said flap within said access opening, and said knife being bendable outwardly from the interior of said container in response to displacement of said flap out of sealed engagement with said circular side wall of said container.

2. A combination pressure sensitive tape can and dispenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knife edge comprises a substantially serrated cutting edge, and said knife having an inside surface releasably engageable by the free end of a spool of tape for automatically withdrawing said terminal end of said spool of tape outward- 1y through said access opening in response to outward movement of said knife.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,220 Taylor Sept. 6, 1910 1,151,971 Schulz Aug. 3, 1915 1,588,577 Heifier June 15, 1926 1,793,636 Robinson Feb. 24, 1931 1,837,180 Bennett et a1 Dec. 15, 1931 

